National Day Singapore 2020: 8 Ways To Feast Like A Singaporean This Long Weekend
PUBLISHED July 31st, 2020 06:00 am | UPDATED June 22nd, 2022 11:43 pm
2020 has been one storm after another, so it’s pretty inspiring that Singapore’s made it to another birthday in one piece, isn’t it? And with a long weekend for us to properly unwind this year, Singapore’s big 55th is set to be nothing short of spectacular. Whether you’re staying close to home or painting the town red (and white), we’ve rounded up the best ways to feast local this National Day.
Tipple Up Local with GudSht’s Bottled Cocktails
National Day wouldn’t be complete without a toast to the man behind the Lion City myth – we’re talking about Sang Nila Utama, of course. Drink to the founder of Singapura with GudSht’s Sangrila Utama (S$24), a cheeky duo of bottled cocktails riffing off sangria. The white version is a potent medley of Sauvignon Blanc, Courvoisier Cognac and Grand Marnier infused with fresh fruits, while the red features Cabernet Sauvignon and heady cinnamon notes.
For National Day, they’ve come up with a handful of liquid breakfast specials. The Neslo Gao Peng (S$55 for 600ml) features rice vodka infused with white cacao, Milo, and fresh-brewed coffee – this is one morning kopi that’ll wake you up. Follow up the caffeine hit with the white rum-based Kaya, I Beg Your Pandan (S$50), which brings together local kaya, coffee liqueur, and a fresh milk-and-oat infusion in one creamy brew.
Shop GudSht cocktails here.
Toast to the Nation at W Singapore – Sentosa Cove
A birthday bash calls for lots of bubbly, and W Singapore – Sentosa Cove is set to get us toasting in style. the kitchen table is putting together a Singa Sunday bash (S$168++ for free-flow champagne, S$148++ for free-flow cocktails), with an array of international staples peppered with local favourites. For starters, think ocean gems like Lobster & Citrus Roll alongside comfort grub like Bak Kut Teh. The mains see indulgent fare like Kühlbarra Barramundi Fillet with clams and juicy Black Angus Rib Eye, though you can’t miss out on feasting local with some Singapore Chili Crab. Save space for sweet nostalgia with old-school desserts like Iced Cendol and Ice Kacang.
the kitchen table is located at W Singapore – Sentosa Cove, 21 Ocean Way, Singapore 098374, p. +65 6808 7268. The Singa Sunday menu is available on 9 August 2020 from 12.30pm–3pm.
Relive The Kampung Days with Telok Ayer Arts Club
Making merry from the comfort of home? Spice up your house party with Telok Ayer Arts Club‘s delivery menu of red-and-white regional favourites. Priced at a patriotic S$65++, the National Day Platter (for 2-3 pax) will get your tongue tingling with fiery ayam masak merah, fork-tender beef cheek rendang, sambal goreng, and more. To cool off, look no further than a gin-based Bandung Cocktail (S$19++) made silky with Tres Leches and rose syrup. And since there’s no good bash without the beats, each platter comes with a ‘Balik Kampung’ groove by DJ Itch – his funky a-go-go tunes will have you partying like it’s 1965.
Telok Ayer Arts Club is currently operating as a pop-up at 501 Bukit Timah Rd, Cluny Court, Singapore 259760, p. +65 8129 9211. The National Day Platter is available for pickup and delivery with one day advance notice. Available from 3 to 9 August 2020, at 11am and 5.30pm.
Feast With Firework Views at Zafferano
There’s nothing like the Marina Bay skyline – think the Esplanade, Marina Bay Sands, and the Merlion in one postcard-perfect frame – to inspire patriotic thoughts. Get a bird’s-eye view of Singapore at its iconic best from Zafferano, as you tuck into their boozy brunch or dinner specials.
Kick off your National Day Champagne Brunch (S$118++ per pax) with a welcome Singapore Sling, then work your way through an Italian extravaganza of ten starters and four mains complete with free-flow champagne. For your big night, the National Day Special Menu (S$198++ per pax) sees four courses of indulgences like sea urchin tagliolini and char-grilled wagyu striploin. Be sure to snag a prime seat at the Terrace Lounge (S$298++ per pax) for feasting with a side of fireworks.
Zafferano is located at Ocean Financial Centre, Level 43, 10 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049315, p. +65 6509 1488. The National Day Champagne Brunch is available on 8 and 9 August 2020 from 12pm–3pm, while the National Day Special Menu is available on 9 August 2020 from 6pm.
Snag SG55-Themed Deals at SO/ Sofitel Singapore
S$5.50 cocktails, S$55 bottles of wine – to celebrate Singapore’s big 55th, SO/ Sofitel Singapore is going all out. Head down to their in-house restaurant Xperience for an Oh-So-Local Set Menu (S$55++ per pax) of European-Singaporean fusion fare, from XO cream-slathered seabass to banana splits topped with ondeh-ondeh ice-cream. Wash it down with their range of local cocktails (S$20 for one, S$5.50 for the second) – there’s even a whimsical Kaya Martini infused with pandan and coconut. There’re also S$55 bottles of Malbec and Torrontés from their Valle de la Puerta range to wine down.
SO/ Sofitel Singapore is located at 35 Robinson Road, Singapore 068876, p. +65 6701 6800. The Oh-So-Local set menu is available for dinner on 8 August, and for both lunch and dinner on 9-10 August 2020. The S$5.50 promotion on local cocktails runs from 6-13 August 2020.
Celebrate Hawker Culture at CÉ LA VI
Hawker fare gets taken to new heights at CÉ LA VI – literally. This sky-high dining spot is bringing together a melting pot of Singaporean chefs and hawkers over the National Day long weekend, each showing off their signature creations. Expect crisp har cheong chicken wings from LG Han of Labyrinth, buah keluak burgers by Candlenut’s Malcolm Lee, fragrant coffee pork from KEK Seafood, fishball noodles tossed with sakura ebi by A Fishball Story, and more (S$10++ per dish). To pair, how about some Peranakan-inspired tipples and tea-infused beers?
CÉ LA VI is located at Level 57, Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, Hotel Tower 3, 1 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018971, p. +65 6508 2188. The Sky High Hawker Launch series launches on 7-10 August 2020, Fri 4pm–10pm and Sat-Mon 12pm–9pm.
Enjoy Flavour Explosions at 1919 Waterboat House
Set in a colonial heritage building, 1919 Waterboat House makes a splendid place to toast the birth of modern Singapore. Soak up glittering bayfront views while working your way through the Sharing Menu for Two (S$88++ per pax) – a six-course lineup of European dishes from duck rillettes on toasted baguettes to salt-crusted Greek seabass to cassis sorbet. As you watch the fireworks show, let their vodka-spiked Merlion Punch (S$55++ per jug) set off a fruity explosion in your mouth.
1919 Waterboat House is located at 3 Fullerton Rd, #03-01 The Waterboat House, Singapore 049215, p. +65 6538 9038.
Go Retro with Sinpopo
It just isn’t a proper birthday without cake, is it? Celebrate Singapore’s birthday with a sweet treat from Sinpopo – this retro café offers a range of handcrafted cakes in quintessentially local flavours. The decadent Mao Shan Wang Durian Cake (S$58++ for whole) is unsurprisingly a bestseller, but you’ll also find familiar flavours like gula melaka and pandan kaya. For a dose of nostalgia, check out their old-school desserts-turned-cake: the Pulut Hitam Cake (S$48++) features layers of black rice cake and black glutinous rice coconut cream, while the Putu Piring Cake (S$48++) is heaped with grated coconut.
Sinpopo has a flagship restaurant in Joo Chiat Road, and outlets in Funan Mall, Square 2, The Paragon, and Takayashima Food Hall. For more location info, see here.
Top Image: Zafferano
